Posology and method of administration
Tablets should be swallowed whole with water one hour before or two hours
after a meal.
Adults and children of 12 years and above:
250 mg every six hours. Dosage may be increased in severe infections to 250
mg every three hours after an initial loading dose of 1 g.
Children:
Not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

Elderly:
May be given at the usual adult dosage. The possibility of sub-clinical renal
insufficiency should be kept in mind, as it may lead to drug accumulation.
Therapy should be continued for at least 24-48 hours after symptoms and fever
have subsided.

4.3

Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to tetracyclines. Renal impairment. Children under
12 years of age. Use during pregnancy or lactation.

4.4

Special warnings and precautions for use
Medicines and foods containing di-/tri-valent cations interfere with the
absorption of oxytetracycline and doses should be maximally separated. If
however, gastric irritation occurs the medicine should be taken with food.
OXYMYCIN should be used with caution in patients with hepatic or renal
dysfunction, or in conjunction with other potentially hepatotoxic or
nephrotoxic drugs.
OXYMYCIN should not be administered to children during the period of
tooth development because of the likelihood of staining of teeth and deposition
in the epiphysis.
Intestinal overgrowth of non-susceptible or resistant organisms (candida
albicans in particular) may occur.
Photosensitivity reactions can sometimes occur. Susceptible patients should
avoid direct exposure to natural or artificial sunlight and discontinue therapy at
the first sign of skin discomfort.
Weak neuromuscular blockade may occur in patients suffering from Myasthenia
Gravis Exacerbation of SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) may occur.
OXYMYCIN is unsafe in acute porphyrias.

4.5

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Tetracyclines bind to di-/tri-valent cations. Absorption from the
gastrointestinal tract is impaired by the concomitant administration of iron,

calcium, aluminium, magnesium bismuth and zinc salts (interactions with
specified salts, antacids, Bismuth containing ulcer-healing drugs, quinapril
which may contain a magnesium carbonate excipients).
Dosages should be maximally separated.
Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by food, milk, and milk products.
The concomitant use of tetracycline may reduce the efficacy of oral
contraceptives and the concomitant use pf retinoids may increase the risk of
benign intracranial hypertension. It is advisable to avoid giving tetracyclines
in conjunction with penicillin.
Patients receiving concurrent anti-coagulant therapy should have the dose of
those drugs reduced because tetracyclines depresses plasma prothrombin
activity.
Atovaquone plasma concentration is recduced by tetracyclines.
Diuretics may aggravate nephrotoxicity by volume depletion.

4.6

Pregnancy and lactation
Do not use in pregnancy or lactation unless there are compelling reasons.

4.7

Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Does not affect ability to drive and use machines.

4.8

Undesirable effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and on rare occasions dysphagia have
been reported.
Skin reactions have occasionally occurred. The most common
reaction is photosensitivity. Erythematous, and macro-papular
rashes, pruritis, bullois dermatoses and exfoliative dermatitis have
also been reported.
A few cases of pancreatitis and antibiotic-associated colitis have
been reported.

Oesophagitis and oesophageal ulceration have been reported,
usually when taken before bed or with inadequate fluids.
Hypersensitivity reactions include rash, exfoliative dermatitis,
urticaria, angioedema anaphylaxis pericarditis and exacerbation of
systemic lupus erythematosus.
Teeth discolouration has occurred, but it is usually only obvious
after repeated doses.
Bulging fontanelles and benign intracranial hypertension in
juveniles and adults have been reported indicated by headache and
visual disturbances including blurring of vision, scotomata and
diplopia. Permanent visual loss has been reported.
Overgrowth of resistant organisms may cause candidiasis,
pseudomembranous colitis (Clostridium difficile overgrowth),
glossitis, stomatitis, vaginitis and staphylococcal entero-colitis.
On rare occasions transient increase in liver function tests, hepatitis,
jaundice and hepatic failure have been reported. Blood dyscrasias
have also occurred.

4.9

Overdose
Although overdosage with antibiotics is rare, if it should occur gastric lavage
supportive therapy and control of plasma electrolytes is indicated.

5

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1

Pharmacodynamic properties
Oxytetracycline is primarily a bacteriostatic antibiotic and has a similar
spectrum of activity to other tetracyclines.
Oxytetracycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic to sensitive organisms.

5.2

Pharmacokinetic properties
Oxytetracycline is absorbed irregularly to the extent of about 60% of an oral
dose, absorption occurring in the stomach and upper small intestine.

Peak plasma concentrations achieved 2-4 hours after an oral dose.
The mean plasma half-life is 9.2 hours. The plasma/protein bind is 27-35%.
The drug is eliminated largely unchanged mostly in the urine, with some in the
faeces. A small amount is metabolised in the liver.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.